They said it was the enigmatic street artist’s way of telling the world that his work “isn’t meant to be owned”.

@DanFleyshman #Banksy was clearly making a statement about anyone who thinks you can actually own his art. He’s essentially saying art is free and isn’t meant to be owned...also would you really expect anything less...IT’S BANKSY!!! 🤦🏽‍♀️

Some questioned whether it had actually been shredded at all.

So, I have a theory about that Banksy shredded girl w/the red balloon:
It's not shredded. It's still rolled up inside the frame. A pre-torn canvas rolled out from behind the one in front that is rolled up behind itself. The torn canvas doesn't line up w/the one in front: https://t.co/fuyCaxAcMj

There is speculation that the stunt could have made the painting more valuable.

“However, there was speculation after the Banksy sale as to whether the shredded painting would have risen in value, given its status as the subject of one of the greatest pranks to have been played on the art market.” https://t.co/4dR5P67zVt https://t.co/3YBcBBeLl7

“We have not experienced this situation in the past ... where a painting spontaneously shredded, upon achieving a [near] record for the artist. We are busily figuring out what this means in an auction context,” Branczik said.

Sotheby’s said in a statement that the purchaser was “surprised” by the incident, and that the next steps are being discussed.

It had originally been expected to sell for between £200,000 and £300,000 ($260,000 and $390,000).

In any case, others concluded, Banksy can continue to hold the well-earned title of “world's smuggest man”.